DeRidder taking next step against property eyesores

Monday

The City of DeRidder is preparing legislation to take the campaign against run-down property to another level.

Mayor Ron Roberts said at Monday night’s City Council meeting that an ordinance to aid in that step is being drafted.

His remarks came after Dorothy Andrews asked during the public comment period what, if anything, could be done about a vacant lot on Lucious Street.

She told the council that the city had responded promptly to her earlier complaint about uncut grass, but that junk on the property negates the value of the mowing.

“If a lot is vacant, what are the rules?” she asked. “Is the ordinance just about mowing, or does it include cleaning up?” she wondered.

Roberts responded that City Attorney David Lestage is drawing up a proposed ordinance regarding making property “presentable” and that it should be introduced at the council’s next meeting.

The mayor’s projection is that the city will have a new ordinance on the books by November.

Following a public hearing at which no one appeared to object, the council passed an ordinance creating a special exception to the city’s zoning rules to allow placing of a Class B mobile home on a lot on Third Street.

Stipulations include the home can be used only a maximum of 10 years and only as long as the current owner owns the property and resides there.

The council introduced an ordinance to again contract with Windham & Reed, LLC to conduct the city audit, for an estimated maximum cost of $29,000, and another authorizing the city to enter a reciprocating contract with Vernon Council on Aging to provide transportation services to the agencies’ clients.

The financial report showed cash balances as of Aug. 31 as General Fund, $908,000; Utility Fund, $2.64 million and Sales Tax Fund, $589,000.

Fiscal year revenues through Aug. 31 were $5.43 million and expenses totaled $5.38 million, creating an operating margin of $44,000.